On the trail at Trout Lake, Yellowstone National Park

In an age of extreme winter sports, the simple art of walking on snow has emerged as the fastest growing industry in the fickle world of outdoors recreation. Snowshoeing has exploded from a modest following in the late 1990’s to over 4 million active snowshoers reported by industry research in 2003. Snowshoeing is no longer the prime domain of nomadic Eskimos and Norwegian reindeer herders; snowshoe races, snowshoe trails, and miles of backcountry snowshoe terrain are present wherever there is snow.

The primary appeal to snowshoeing is the simplicity of it all. Snowshoeing offers the sensation of floating on powder while venturing out into winter landscapes touched with a beauty and charm unknown in warmer seasons. One does not need to be particularly skilled or athletic to enjoy snowshoeing; in fact most major snowshoe manufacturers offer children’s versions of their shoes. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

Rewards are plentiful for even recreational snowshoers. Beyond the visceral rewards of a cold, crisp, sunny, winter excursion, snowshoeing offers impressive exercise benefits. On moderate terrain with average snow depth, you can expect to burn between 600-900 calories in an hour. That’s a better workout than running, cycling, or that hallmark of winter fitness, cross-country skiing.

Snowshoeing also opens up environments not easily reached by other means. Navigating chest deep powder through a maze of alpine trees is a breeze with the right snowshoes. Even simple summer trails that are neglected in winter are transformed into new arenas of snowy wonder.

Early style snowshoe

So why has this sport grown in popularity? Several factors have given rise to the snowshoe craze. Foremost is the technology used in today’s modern snowshoes. The first snowshoes were simple creations, nothing more bent saplings covered in animal hide. They were brought about by the necessity of Eskimos and northern indigenous people to continue hunting and fishing throughout frigid winters. Early designs were so broad that one had to walk a bit bow legged to move gracefully about. Long, tapered tails provided additional float but also made the shoes even more unwieldy.

Tubbs classic Bearpaw snowshoe

The first major design change came in the form of the Bearpaw snowshoe. Using an interwoven lattice of rawhide and an oval base, the shoes were sleeker and more efficient than their predecessors. This new design provided a proven template for shoes to come. The main problems with Bearpaw shoes were threefold: durability, cost (both in time to create and materials), and a rather unexpected trend, that being that people found the designs of the cross-patterns so charming they refused to damage them. Rather than ruin the exquisite craftsmanship, many pairs of Bearpaw snowshoes were given new life as classic alpine décor.   

It wasn’t until the mid 1980’s that several ambitious inventors utilized modern materials to reinvent the snowshoe. Over the course of following decade, lightweight aluminum frames replaced wood and nearly indestructible plastic polymer decks made the tedious task of rawhide lacing obsolete. Most importantly, sturdy hinged bindings provided the end user with an easy, fluid foot motion that is no different than normal walking. In this current incarnation, snowshoes became stronger, more comfortable, and affordable for the general public. At the leading edge of today’s designs are one-piece all plastic shoes, lighter metal alloy frames, and improved binding systems.

Atlas backcountry snowshoe

Snowshoes come in a variety of styles, with each model suited to a particular activity. All-purpose snowshoes run from $60.00-$180.00 and work well in general day hiking conditions, excelling in no one aspect. Running-specific snowshoes are not much larger than the base of your winter boots and often feature the classic tapered tails and aggressive claws on the bottom cleat. Running snowshoes run from $40.00-$150.00. Because they are made for trail running, they offer poor floatation in deeper power. True backcountry snowshoes are large oval-shaped shoes whose tracks resemble dinosaur footprints. The elongated surface area can provide float for up to 300 pounds of human, packs, and supplies. Unfortunately, the bigger you are the more you will pay for your backcountry snowshoes and prices run from $130.00-$300.00. Anyone who has tried to labor through deep backcountry snow with a pack bulging with gear knows the price is a worthwhile investment.

So what snowshoe is best for you? For most people, a recreational all-purpose shoe is ideal. Most all-purpose shoes can handle backcountry terrain to a degree and the shoes are not so cumbersome that running is a feasible option. To find the best shoe for an individual, weight is the key to selecting the optimal snowshoe (keep in mind your total weight is your body weight plus the pack and gear you will be carrying, usually 20-50 pounds more than your body weight). Companies are now also creating women-specific shoes catered to the smaller shape of a woman’s foot and a slightly more curved frame to compensate for the shorter distance between women’s feet.

If the call of wild lures you off trail, a backcountry snowshoe is the way to go. Several companies make excellent snowshoes, including Atlas (www.atlassnowshoe.com), Tubbs (www.tubbssnowshoes.com), Crescent Moon (www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com), and Red Feather (www.redfeather.com). Which is best is a matter of personal preference and what conditions you plan to snowshoe in.

Affordability, accessibility, simplicity, exercise, and durability have given new life to the age-old sport of floating on snow. It’s not quite walking on water, but the thrill of hovering on a base of fresh powder in the snowy corridors and open wilderness make snowshoeing a pastime that will continue to grow with each new blanket of snow.